'So when are we going?' Sarah wanted to know.
Michael stepped closer to the hole and stared down as he answered,
'Today! But let me introduce you to my team first. I'll be waiting for you!'
Then, he stepped into the hole—and vanished.
'Who wants to go first?' came a voice from Rick, who, by the way, was the farthest from the hole.
Sarah responded by walking over to it. She gulped, turned to her soldiers, and said,
'I'll see you on the other side!'
And with that, she stepped into the hole—and disappeared.
Now, only two were left.
'Were you worried a lot?' Rick asked suddenly. His voice was soft, and even softer was his touch as he caressed Emilia's hand.
'Sorry—it wasn't my plan to die and then just show up again!'
Emilia looked down at Rick's arm touching hers—and chuckled.
'How long have we been fighting together now? Around six years? We've faced many enemies and terrible situations. But this—this is on another scale!'
'Well, we're soldiers. Fighting and taking orders is all we know.'
'Are you sure that's all you know, Rick?' Emilia raised her head and met Rick's eyes.
'You've become an immune one. You don't have to worry anymore.'
Rick let go of her hand and placed his palm on her head.
'Hey, I got you. Okay? And no—there's more that I know. But all of that comes after we make it through whatever the hell is going on right now. Now get moving—into that dark pit, hahaha!'
Emilia thumped Rick's chest, grinned, and ran toward the hole.
Then, she too was gone.
Suddenly, sand formed next to Rick, taking on a female shape. What was more surprising was that it could speak:
'It's me—Zahira!'
'Damn. I thought you could only speak in my head!'
'Nah! I prefer this. Also... that woman—you like her a lot!'
'Yes, I do. Why?'
'Right now, love is a luxury we can't afford. That so-called king—I know who he is. His name is Temphael. He's strong. Really strong. I can't imagine us defeating him!'
'Whoa, chill. We haven't even seen the full strength of the leader's team yet.'
'I admit, that leader is powerful. I couldn't quite gauge his abilities—but he may be a Celestial. Still, that won't be enough! Even among the king candidates, Temphael was one of the strongest. If that leader is the best they have… well, we'll need a lot of luck on our side!'
And with that, Rick strolled over to the hole. The sand dispersed—
and a moment later, he too was gone.
In Paradise
The villa already looked grand from the outside, but its interior was even more magnificent. The soldiers had all taken a bath and were now eating together at a long table.
Pandora descended the stairs in a stunning white dress, a golden amulet hanging from a delicate chain. When Rayshel noticed Dae gawking at her, she rammed her elbow into his ribs and said:
'If I wanted to, I could look even prettier than her!'
'And… do you want to?'
'Why should I? Do you want me to?'
'Now's not the time for that. Pandora, is there a special occasion?'
'Yes! Today the King will host a festival. During it, he'll choose people for something important. I really hope he chooses me. If you want, you could attend as well!'
'Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to decli—'
'Why?' Rayshel interrupted, jumping to her feet.
'Do you think I won't look good if I go?'
'Damn, Rayshel—please. Not now!'
'Yes. Now. We've been fighting all this time, without a single break!'
'And what do you think this is right now?'
'A small break. Then we're back to the battlefield! Now that I think about it… I've been fighting my entire life. Never once had a chance to experience something like this. And now the world is ending.'
She turned to Dae. Her eyes locked on his, her pulse quickening. Normally, battle was the cause of such a reaction. But now—
there was another reason.
'Dae, before the world truly ends—before I die—just once. Just once… I want to do something like this. And well—' she puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms, 'I wish I had someone to take me to the festival.'
Silence fell. All eyes turned to Dae. Even the maidens standing meters away from the table paused and waited.
Dae sighed and rose to his feet.
'Rayshel, do you want to be my date for today?'
'YEEEEEESSSS!' she yelled, leaping into his arms.
He caught her and added:
'And after that… we're gone!'
In the King's Chamber
Temphael sipped golden wine as Angelica entered the room to report.
'Everything is ready for the festival, my King. However… I have a question. Wouldn't it be a waste to sacrifice everyone here? Some of them show potential. I mean—if we're lucky, we might get another success like her.'
'Indeed. But time is running out. The last thing I need is other king candidates crossing over—or the king himself. I can handle Celestials and lower ranks easily. But the others… Still, the army we have now should suffice. And even if it doesn't—you have me. I am an army by myself. What about the man you captured?'
'He's finished. His condition hasn't improved. It looks like he's now battling the demon for control over his body. If this continues, his mind will shatter.'
'Hmm. I see. Send guards for him later. He'll be part of the sacrifice.'
'Yes, my King.'
In the Prison
It was dark, damp, and cramped. The walls were so close that they pressed against Nade on either side. Chains bound him. Chains that—under normal conditions—would never hold a Celestial.
But in his current state, they were more than enough.
They drained his power.
(Glacia: Just give me your body, and you'll be free of the pain! That man on the throne—his name is Temphael. I know he's going to kill us!)
'You can't die. Not while you're in my body. Your soul will return to your world.'
(Glacia: That should be the case. But I'm sure he'll find a way to destroy me for good. And these chains—they bind me to you! If you die while we're still connected, I'll die with you!)
'Then we die.'